When Ken Peterson and his wife Pat adopted Winnie, a timid Lhasa Apso/Maltese mix with a shaky past and soulful eyes, they weren’t just welcoming a senior dog into their home. They were opening their hearts to a new way of loving—deeply, patiently, and without condition. Winnie was found wandering the streets of Stockton, matted and scared. She was around … Read More
Pets and People: With Cynthia, Time and Patience Lead to Love
Some pets find homes in days. Others take weeks. A few wait months. Cynthia’s here for all of them. “I’ve always been drawn to the quiet ones,” she says. “The animals who don’t stand out at first. The ones that just need someone to see who they really are.” Cynthia is part of the Adoptions Team at HSSV, where she … Read More
Pets and People: Roxy Finds Her Happy Place
Roxy’s journey to her forever home began at Santa Clara County Animal Shelter. Like so many municipal shelters across the Bay Area, they were stretched beyond capacity and turned to HSSV’s Regional Rescue Program to help. That’s how Kaycee, as she was then called, made her way to HSSV. She arrived with a hygroma—an elbow swelling that develops when dogs … Read More
At Martha’s Kitchen, Compassion Comes with a Side of Pet Food
Every September, communities across the country come together for Hunger Action Month, a nationwide movement led by Feeding America to end hunger and ensure families have access to the food and support they need. It’s a time when organizations, volunteers, and advocates stand shoulder to shoulder in recognition that food is a basic human right, not a luxury. In San … Read More
Head Tilt, Heart Full: Top Hat’s Journey Home
Top Hat’s life almost ended before it had truly begun. When he was found, the tiny kitten carried more injuries than most could survive — a raw wound stretched across his head, an abscess on his neck, and a limp that made each step unsteady. And yet, through the pain, he purred. That resilience, and the community that rallied around … Read More
Pets and People: Kyoko Builds Trust Through Care
For a lot of people, Humane Society Silicon Valley is the first call they make when something unexpected happens. Maybe their pet is sick and they can’t afford care. Maybe they’re grieving, scared, or just overwhelmed. On the other end of that call is someone like Kyoko.
Opening Doors to Care: HSSV’s New Community Pet Clinic
In Silicon Valley, access to veterinary care hasn’t kept pace with the growing need. Rising costs and the stress of living paycheck to paycheck mean that even basic care can feel out of reach. The love people feel for their pets hasn’t changed, but access to affordable treatment hasn’t always kept up. That’s why Humane Society Silicon Valley (HSSV) is … Read More